# Thunderbolt, yes or no or not jet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Creators & Developers\ **Created:** [July 23, 2021, 9:26am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792 "2021-07-23T09:26:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johannes\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@Johannes\_T](https://community.frame.work/u/Johannes_T)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 9:26am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/1 "2021-07-23T09:26:14Z")
Hello there! I am interested in the frame.work laptop and know it a bit. But now I am confused. I heard: No Thunderbolt 4 for now, but we have the controller on the Motherboard, but we need time with getting the software an the “ok” from Intel to call it like that! I read in Reviews: Yes Thunderbolt. So what it is? Thanks a lot and greetings! Johannes T. ---
**Author:** ![cowpod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@cowpod](https://community.frame.work/u/cowpod)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/2 "2021-07-23T17:41:46Z")
A previous comment confirms that an eGPU box works fine. Since TigerLake has TB4, and that said eGPU box used Thunderbolt 3, yes it’s implied that this has TB4. ---
**Author:** ![Johannes\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@Johannes\_T](https://community.frame.work/u/Johannes_T)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/3 "2021-07-25T17:41:34Z")
@cowpod Thanks a lot buddy or human! ---
**Author:** ![Jason\_Hottelet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@Jason\_Hottelet](https://community.frame.work/u/Jason_Hottelet)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/4 "2021-07-25T18:24:18Z")
ah, the two genders 😜 ---
**Author:** ![Johannes\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@Johannes\_T](https://community.frame.work/u/Johannes_T)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 6:53pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/5 "2021-07-25T18:53:36Z")
Yes, I am not Shure if buddy is a male word or not 🙂 (Not Native) Greetings from Germany 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jason\_Hottelet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@Jason\_Hottelet](https://community.frame.work/u/Jason_Hottelet)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/6 "2021-07-25T19:03:55Z")
I’m german as well, but from what I can tell the gender-ascription implied by the term “buddy” relies heavily on context. Had you played it safe and only put “human” you would’ve been spared from my joke 😉 Let’s hope this laptop is available over here soon! ---
**Author:** ![SebasContre](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/sebascontre/32/945_2.png) [@SebasContre](https://community.frame.work/u/SebasContre)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/7 "2021-07-26T14:48:08Z")
From what I get reading the forum, the system is compatible with thunderbolt, but they can’t say it officialy yet because the Intel certification is still in process. ---
**Author:** ![Johannes\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@Johannes\_T](https://community.frame.work/u/Johannes_T)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/8 "2021-07-26T22:19:09Z")
@Jason_Hottelet Thanks for the hint! I do have an MacBook for now, but I am not sure if I will buy me one! Woud you buy one? ---
**Author:** ![Johannes\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@Johannes\_T](https://community.frame.work/u/Johannes_T)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 10:23pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/9 "2021-07-26T22:23:11Z")
@SebasContre Thanks for the hint, so your Voting for a “not-yet” 😃 Have a good one 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jason\_Hottelet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@Jason\_Hottelet](https://community.frame.work/u/Jason_Hottelet)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/10 "2021-07-26T22:38:57Z")
@Johannes_T Right now, I definitely would. There’s a slight chance I might get weak at the end of the year if the new Macbook Pro is affordable and has glowing reviews, but I don’t think I will, since 16GB RAM and a decently sized SSD would cost me 500€ extra or so. ---
**Author:** ![Johannes\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@Johannes\_T](https://community.frame.work/u/Johannes_T)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 2:25pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/11 "2021-07-27T14:25:12Z")
For all i know a their Pro Modells will be for the higher end. I think Dave2D explained it in on of his videos pretty good: The middle class and entry marked is happy with the m1 and their new chip can be a beast for the TDP and he thinks, that apple will make their Pro Modells with a high price tag (and i think they will have 16GB RAM standard). I have a modded MacBook Air 2020 with an intel i7, for now and i think this is good enough for my daily task for a few more yers, but this laptop is sooo sweet… What a backround do you have, how did you find your way here (and what laptop for now)? Greetings! PS.: Sollten der hier in Deutschland mal was werden kann man ja auch auch mal ein deutsches Treffen machen (ohne dass ich dann einen habe XD) I think thats the one: [The Next MacBook - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY2jMXKVhIw) ---
**Author:** ![Jason\_Hottelet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@Jason\_Hottelet](https://community.frame.work/u/Jason_Hottelet)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/12 "2021-07-27T14:53:40Z")
For now I have an early 2015 Macbook Pro, for which Apple would give me about 400€ credit if I bought a new one (at least that’s the figure they gave me a few months ago). Therefore a 1400€ Macbook Pro might be enticing to me, but anything above that probably not so much since I’m a student. I found out about the Framework laptop by reading articles about it in both [heise.de](http://heise.de) and [golem.de](http://golem.de). P.S.: Ich denke die Chancen stehen ganz gut, dass schon der nächste CCC in Teilen ein inoffizielles Framework-Treffen wird 😜 ---
**Author:** ![RomanMeier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@RomanMeier](https://community.frame.work/u/RomanMeier)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/13 "2021-07-27T21:27:21Z")
Hello, USB4 is essentially the fourth generation of USB and Thunderbolt ([Source](https://www.usb.org/usb4)), combining them into a single port with additional options such as charging capabilities and video output. Thunderbolt 4 on the other acts more like a certification, whenever you see TB4 you know that the port is capable of charging your laptop/delivering power of at least a certain wattage, has video output and phyiscal protection against DMA attacks. [More about Thunderbolt 4](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/resources/upgrade-gaming-accessories-thunderbolt-4.html) The USB-C expansion card is an USB4 port. Greetings ---
**Author:** ![Johannes\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@Johannes\_T](https://community.frame.work/u/Johannes_T)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/14 "2021-07-27T21:43:56Z")
Thanks for the explanation! My question was also: Is the Laptop in the certification Prozess or is it already finished? Greetings! ---
**Author:** ![Skyline1029](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Skyline1029](https://community.frame.work/u/Skyline1029)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 11:35pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/15 "2021-07-27T23:35:11Z")
> [@Johannes\_T](#): > > My question was also: Is the Laptop in the certification Prozess or is it already finished? The Laptop would need to have the chipset and CPU that can read and write at that speed. It would be limited by the motherboard and USB controllers. It may not be right now since it was not made when USB 4 was a thing so it may take some time for the team to make a USB4 or Thunderbolt compatible Motherboard. (CPU Option spec compares [Link](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/compare.html?productIds=208658,208662,208664)) Since the Laptop is highly upgradable you will likely see it later as a trade in or as a new option when available. Plus they would have to get the approval from Intel for Thunderbolt and that costs a lot so a smaller company would not afford to get it Certified for Thunderbolt 4 even if the laptop can do it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cyber\_System](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/the_cyber_system/32/1000_2.png) [@The\_Cyber\_System](https://community.frame.work/u/The_Cyber_System)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/16 "2021-07-28T01:38:09Z")
I’m quite new the forum, but as far as I’ve seen the actual plugs in the computer are TB4. People have used Thunderbolt eGPUs and Thunderbolt docks and in most cases things just work. To be clear, I don’t believe the USB-C expansion modules are TB4, but the internal connectors of the mainboard that the modules plug in to are TB4. ~ Jamie ---
**Author:** ![Skyline1029](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Skyline1029](https://community.frame.work/u/Skyline1029)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/17 "2021-07-28T21:02:09Z")
TB4, USB4 And USB-C all use the same connector. Same how Mini Displayport is also used as TB2 port. So it more on the protocol than the connector. So EGPU would be possible but would not all fit in an expansion card. But would be interesting as a card. But would have to be more than 1 slot or external wire so a docking card for the eGPU and/or External dock. The CPU is Thunderbolt 4 certified, but not sure if it has been enabled on the motherboard. From the YT videos creators have made (Adam Savage Tested, LTT, and more) have confirmed USB-C spec but from what they have shown it does not show that the USB-C Expansion card is TB4 or USB4 speeds. And would need more testing with a Thunderbolt dock or eGPU to the internal port to test It would be likely that the connection to the chassis is TB4 but the expansion card might be the limiting factor as @The_Cyber_System has also said. ---
**Author:** ![njf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/njf/32/984_2.png) [@njf](https://community.frame.work/u/njf)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/18 "2021-07-28T21:58:26Z")
The USB-C Expansion cards support USB4, as described in the product specs. [(here)](https://frame.work/products/laptop). What we don’t know yet is whether they will be Thunderbolt 4 certified. ---
**Author:** ![njf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/njf/32/984_2.png) [@njf](https://community.frame.work/u/njf)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/19 "2021-07-28T22:10:34Z")
And to add, everything we have seen here in the past suggests that Framework are seeking TB certification. If they were not, I think they would just have said so. On April 2, @nrp said > [@Thunderbolt 4](http://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-4/255/2): > > Hi @Daniel_Herr we hope to share more about this soon, but since a certification process is required in order to claim Thunderbolt compatibility, we can’t say anything until that is complete 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FaultedBeing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/faultedbeing/32/197_2.png) [@FaultedBeing](https://community.frame.work/u/FaultedBeing)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 12:17am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792/20 "2021-07-29T00:17:28Z")
So far, with my laptop, it comes with thunderbolt software installed and connects to my egpu (mostly) correctly (there’s a whole thread over the issue [here](http://community.frame.work/t/support-for-discrete-cards-nvidia-amd/300/26) ), but, if there’s a worry over thunderbolt capability, I’d lean towards it’s probably safe to assume it has thunderbolt, they just can’t say anything officially [Next page](https://community.frame.work/t/thunderbolt-yes-or-no-or-not-jet/2792.md?page=2)